Timo Lenzen / DER SPIEGEL
Dear readers,
this week (again) had the essence of a religious test. The Bundestag decides as a last resort, as the maximum escalation in the long series of possible restrictions, the so-called emergency brake. The measures contained therein are already being implemented by the more forward-looking federal states, which means that the supposed federal bazooka automatically works like a spray gun. In the run-up to the vote, the chorus of critics reliably swelled, even parties with a residual seriousness like the FDP announced resistance in the form of a constitutional complaint against the surcharge, which was far too lax from a scientific point of view. The clear corona crescendo this week, however, is the action of some artists who criticize the corona policy under the hashtag #allesdichtmachen. Or is it not meant that way?
So it's no wonder if you lose faith there.
Mainly because, undeterred by these less than ideal debates, mischief is brewing, as my colleague Julia Merlot wrote this week.
Because while politicians and the public stare intently at the incidences of the general population and not least derive measures for schools from them, these are now significantly higher in children and adolescents than in the general population.
Against this background, the incidence of 165 for restrictions in schools recorded in the emergency brake seems like a joke.
And a bad one.
What remains is the hope of the vaccination campaign.
At the beginning of next week, the lifting of the prioritization will be discussed at a vaccination summit.
Then the most important thing is that the vaccine is obtained and distributed quickly enough.
If politicians cannot slow down properly, it would be good if they at least step on the gas at this point.
The new SPIEGEL, now digital, tomorrow at the kiosk
"The woman in all cases: Annalena Baerbock - who she is and why nobody can get past her" is the title of the new SPIEGEL. You
will
receive the digital copy from now on
and from Saturday at the kiosk.
The stutter brake
Incidence in the planned Infection Protection Act: The crazy one hundred
The revision of the Infection Protection Act has met with criticism.
The incidences targeted for the emergency brake are miles away from what experts believe is necessary.
There are alternatives.
Discussion about the Infection Protection Act: What the Corona emergency brake will bring in Hamburg
The obligation to use the emergency brake is there: In Hamburg you can see how quickly the infection curve could flatten - especially the curfew is probably more effective than expected.
State regulations for schools: where the federal emergency brake applies - and where it is ignored
The federal emergency brake is intended to create uniform and stricter rules, also for school closings.
In some places, however, it would lead to easing.
Individual federal states therefore refuse to do so.
What now applies where.
The vaccination campaign has to fix it
Survey on Covid-19 in Germany: This is how willing you are to be vaccinated
Whether
you can
fight Corona also depends on how many people are vaccinated.
There are encouraging figures on this - but they are not enough.
One reason: dissatisfaction with the pandemic management.
Individual risk assessment: vaccinating once is less risky than a week's skiing vacation
There is a lot of talk about the very rare cases of thrombosis after AstraZeneca vaccinations.
That may make the risk seem greater than it is.
These considerations can help you weigh this up.
Health Minister Spahn: "That does not mean that we can all vaccinate in June" The vaccination
prioritization could be lifted
in June
.
But that does not mean that it will fall at the beginning of the month.
The expectations of the citizens should remain realistic, says Health Minister Spahn.
Vaccination speed: Braun expects waiting times even without prioritization
According to the head of the Chancellery, if the vaccination
prioritization is
lifted soon does not mean that enough doses will be available for everyone.
The German Medical Association is calling for the vaccination reserves to be dissolved as soon as possible.
Court ruling in Aachen:
Vaccinated persons
cannot choose
a
preparation
A 61-year-old wanted Biontech rather than AstraZeneca - and went to court for it.
But the Aachen Chamber decided otherwise.
Ministry of Health:
Company doctors to
start vaccinations in June
Can the economy accelerate the rate of vaccinations in Germany?
According to Health Minister Spahn, company doctors will soon be able to be supplied with vaccination doses - because Biontech delivers more than expected.
Enlarge image
Vaccination justice:
please do not push
ahead
!
Photo: Artur Carvalho / Getty Images
Covid-19 in worldwide numbers
Confirmed Cases: 144,800,467
Deaths: 3,072,614
Recovered from disease: 83,213,843
Germany: 3,245,253 confirmed sick people, 81,158 deaths
Sources: CSSE / Johns Hopkins University, as of April 23, 2021, 10:20 am;
Robert Koch Institute, as of April 23, 2021, 3.09 a.m.
Research news
Therapies against Covid-19: The search for the cure
Viruses are more difficult to fight with drugs than other pathogens.
Which means could still help against Corona - and what problems there are.
Economic researchers on the consequences of corona: "The younger ones will pay for the pandemic"
Older people get through the crisis quite well.
But their children and grandchildren will have to struggle with the psychological and financial consequences for a long time.
Economist Axel Börsch-Supan explains the background.
Closer follow-up in Germany: mutants on the advance
Almost all coronavirus infections in Germany can be traced back to more aggressive mutants of the pathogen.
In order to keep track of things, Germany is now analyzing the pathogen's genetic makeup more often in detail.
Bamlanivimab: US authority withdraws antibody drug emergency approval Setback
in the search for a cure for Covid-19: The antibody preparation Bamlanivimab has lost its emergency approval in the USA.
In Germany, it has so far only been used in certain patients.
What else was important
Exploding Incidences in Children: Beyond the 500
In some counties, the seven-day incidence in children and adolescents is extremely high - it almost doubles that of the general population.
But interpreting the values is difficult.
Ifo study:
Even in the second lockdown, children learn
far too little
television, smartphone and computer games instead of schoolwork: even in the second lockdown, children learn three hours less a day than before the pandemic, according to an Ifo survey.
Global fight against Corona: "I think the Swedish way is wrong"
From Chinese hardship to Swedish looseness: the US historian Peter Baldwin analyzes the different strategies in the fight against the corona pandemic.
His conclusion should be sobering for many.
Have a nice weekend
Yours Michail Hengstenberg
What you need to know about the virus
We have put together all the answers to the most important questions about the coronavirus for you here.
You can find more current developments at SPIEGEL.de.